Hughes is
a sterling example of igniting pathways to greatness.
She owns 71 radio stations in 22 urban markets in the
U.S.
Radio One
is the first African-American company in radio history
to dominate several major markets concurrently. She
also is the first African-American woman to head a publicly
traded company on a stock exchange in the United States.
In January 2004, Radio One launched a national cable
and satellite television network called TV One.
Additionally,
Radio One's chief executive Alfred Liggins III bought
a controlling stake in radio personality Tom Joyner's
media company for $56 million, furthering his attempt
to turn the radio company his mother began out of a
trailer 24 years ago into a diversified media group
aimed at the Black community. Today, Radio One is worth
$2 billion and reaches 16 million Black listeners daily.
In the Houston
market, Radio One owns KBXX-FM (97.9 "The Box"), KMJQ-FM
(102.1 "Majic 102"), and KROI-FM (Praise 92.1).
"We are
honored to welcome Ms. Hughes to Houston," said Pinnacle
Awards Chairman Jeffrey L. Boney, small business banking
vice president of Washington Mutual Bank. "She epitomizes
everything the Pinnacle Awards represent. We eagerly
anticipate receiving from Ms. Hughes the principles
we all need in our lives to achieve unprecedented success
and greatness in all that we do!"
The Pinnacle
Awards spotlight African-American businesses that have
achieved success by combining vision, determination,
commitment, and perseverance along with a dedication
to building strong communities.
On achieving
success, Hughes commented, "In my opinion, success comes
on the day that they're reading your eulogy. The determination
of whether you had a successful life is how many people
you helped. If, in fact, you are doing it the correct
way that does not stop until the day they close that
casket."
Four Pinnacle
Award winners will be chosen from among Houston's top
ten African-American entrepreneurs who are "doing things
the correct way."
HCCC is
introducing two new awards in addition to the Pinnacle.
The first award is the Mack H. Hannah, Jr. Upstart Business
Award, which is designed to recognize and provide resources
to a burgeoning African-American business with a high
potential for success. The award package includes a
$2,500 cash equity injection, 14-week Texas Southern
University School of Business course titled "Business
Planning & Financial Management Workshop," corporate
branding package designed by D-MARS, one year's advertising
in Minority Executive Report, and more.
The second
new award is the Advocate Award, which was created to
honor an organization that has been a true champion
for African-American small businesses in the Greater
Houston Metropolitan area. These organizations are diligently
working to ensure the stability and growth of small
businesses through its diversity supplier programs,
community outreach and education.
Nomination
forms for all three awards may be printed from www.hcccpinnacleawards.org,
completed, and returned via mail, fax or e-mail by August
13 for Pinnacle Award nominations and August 20 for
Upstart and Advocate nominations. Forms also may be
requested by calling 281-213-9554.
Pinnacle
Awards Honorary Chair Tracye McDaniel, executive vice
president and COO, Greater Houston Partnership also
will be an honored guest speaker for the evening.
Gala sponsorships
are available to support the diversity, business development
and community outreach programs of HCCC. To request
a sponsorship package, please call 281-213-9554 or e-mail
info@mwhpublicrelations.com.
Sponsors
to date include: Washington Mutual Bank, AT&T, CenterPoint
Energy, Port of Houston Authority, ExxonMobil, Southwest
Airlines, 3131 Properties, Houston Minority Business
Council, Texas Southern University, Brown, Brown & Reynolds,
P.C., KBXX-FM (97.9 "The Box"), KMJQ-FM (102.1 "Majic
102"), KROI-FM (Praise 92.1), D-MARS, I-10 Media, Minority
Executive Report, Houston Business Journal, Rolling
Out Magazine, Clear Channel Outdoor, Houston Style Magazine,
Houston Defender, Gospel Truth, Houston Sun, HBBIN and
FaVor Magazine. A KRIV Fox 26 anchor will emcee the
event.
About Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce
Since 1935, the Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce
has represented the interests of and promoted greater
unity among the African-American business community.
Today, HCCC is evolving its programs to assist African-American
businesses to become more diverse and move into the
global arena. For more information, log onto www.hccoc.org
or call 713-522-9745.
CONTACT:
Margo Williams Handy
MWH Public Relations
281-213-9554
832-492-2407
margo@mwhpublicrelations.com
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